Two Congressman, Two Views

From the Steve Kagen Web Site, Kagen4Congress, posted on Monday, August 4th, 2008 at 6:10 am

"The result? A fragile order and barely controlled chaos.

During my discussions with Gen. Petraeus, I learned that, to secure the 2.5 million Iraqis living in Baghdad’s Sadr City, it was necessary to surround the area with a tall, concrete barrier, keeping the citizens in and violent extremists out." Kagen4Congress » Blog Archive » Iraq trip showed it’s time for troops to leave

It’s also time to move our brave soldiers away from Iraq. We should refocus our efforts on our real enemies — Osama bin Laden and his followers — and bring the rest of our soldiers, including those in our National Guard, home to the heroes’ welcome they’ve earned.

I heard it directly from our top military commander during my visit to Iraq: Our troops are stretched thin and can’t continue to tolerate the strain of an open-ended involvement in a never-ending religious civil war on the other side of the world.

Steve Kagen paints a bleak picture of Iraq and wants the troops out.

The following is from the Tension web site about the same trip to SADR CITY, Iraq,

"Tuesday, August 05, 2008
Combat Camera: US Congressional Delegation Visits Sadr City " THE TENSION: Combat Camera: US Congressional Delegation Visits Sadr City

Since the weather did not cooperate, the congressmen were forced to take ground transportation to Joint Security Station Sadr City. This cut short their time, forcing them to take a driving tour of Sadr City by military convoy.

Sounds like the weather was the worst of the trip

The delegation was briefed by Task Force Gold Commander, Col. Jared Olsen, a native of Chicago.

“We gave them a good overview of the efforts that have been going on here for the past sixty days in an effort to achieving the effects of improving the quality of life for the citizens of Sadr City within OE (operating environment) Gold,” said Olsen.

A quote from Congressman Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.)

“We are the first CODEL (Congressional delegation) into Sadr City,” said Congressman Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.). “This is my fourth time trying to get in here. The fact that I can get in here without air cover is a real improvement.”

Fourth trip to Iraq, Thank you Congressman Lynch.

“I think there has been significant improvement in this Gold Sector. I noticed on the wall [separating this area of Sadr City from the rest of the city] there are still signs of heavy fighting and the general conditions in Sadr City are poor and that basic services are not widely available,” said Congressman Lynch. “However, I’ll say that these units that are coming in are making a dramatic improvement. And you can see that in the amount of traffic. A lot of the shop owners are moving back in. The security situation has improved greatly, at least this area where we have coalition forces.”

After the tour, the congressmen headed to JSS Sadr City for a quick lunch with the troops.

The security situation has improved greatly? Sounds pretty positive from a D- Mass. Congressman.

Congressman Inglis ate with and talked to Staff Sgt. Kevin Jones, a native of Anderson, S.C.

Wondering if Steve Kagen had lunch with any Wisconsin troops?

I just posted two different perspectives from two different congressman.

Two Democrats and two different views

If any troops from Wisconsin has any information on the Wisconsin Congressman in Iraq, let me know.

People of the 8th district, one Iraq trip right before the election. What will you see in his campaign ads? Will Steve be on top of a tank? Will he be carrying an AK 47? Make up your own mind.

It's time for someone new who will leave Iraq after we win and not because the liberal left anti war crowd want to cut and run.

We are proud of all the men and women serving our country. No matter where in the world they serve. We THANK YOU.